Eighty percent of NAC&U members were on the A+ Schools for B Students list which looks at an institution’s overall ranking, freshmen retention rate, and admissions data (SAT scores and class standing). Every NAC&U member in the Midwest was listed as an A+ School for B Students.

Nine NAC&U members were named among the Best Values nationwide, and NAC&U members made up one-third of colleges listed in the Midwest region, including Valparaiso University in the top spot. North Central College was recognized as among Midwest institutions whose graduates had the least debt.

The rankings cited the strength of undergraduate teaching at Belmont University, Valparaiso University, John Carroll University, and Samford University. In addition, Belmont University was recognized among the most innovative institutions in the South.

USNews’ “Programs to Look For” list notes examples of programs that contribute to student success. Service learning, learning communities and first-year experience at Wagner College and study abroad at Arcadia University were recognized on this list.

Undergraduate engineering programs at Valparaiso University and Ohio Northern University were cited among the best in the nation. The University of La Verne was recognized among the best online programs and the best online programs for veterans. Nearly 80 percent of NAC&U members were recognized as best colleges for veterans.

Washington Monthly’s Best Master’s Universities rankings take into account a number of factors including: recruitment and graduation rates of low-income students, cutting-edge scholarship, and the institution’s commitment to encouraging students to give back to their country. Valparaiso University was named the #1 master’s university in the country. Additional NAC&U members among the top 100 on the list include Drury University (#83), Hamline University (#22), Hampton University (#29), John Carroll University (#17), Nazareth College (#9), Pacific Lutheran University(#25), The University of Scranton (#72), University of Evansville (#41), University of Redlands (#33), and Westminster College (#77).

Washington Monthly also compiles a ‘Best Bang for the Buck’ list for schools they deem are the best value based on net price, graduation rates, and whether those students go on to earn at least enough to pay off their loans. Hamline University, John Carroll University, Manhattan College, Nazareth College, St. Edward’s University, and University of La Verne were named to the ‘Best Bang for the Buck’ list.

Princeton Review 380 Best Colleges

The Princeton Review included Hampton University, Nazareth College, North Central College, Ohio Northern University, The University of Scranton, University of Redlands, Wagner College, and Westminster College in the new 2016 edition of its annual college guide, “The Best 380 Colleges” (Random House / Princeton Review, August 4, 2015). Only about 15% of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and three colleges outside the U.S. are profiled in the book, which is The Princeton Review’s flagship college guide.

Princeton Review “Regional Bests”

The Princeton Review listed 649 colleges on its “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region.” The Princeton Review editors made their selections based on data collected from a survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, as well as staff visits and the perspectives of college counselors and advisors whose opinions the company solicits. NAC&U members included in their respective geographic locations were Arcadia University, Belmont University, Drury University, Hamline University, Hampton University, John Carroll University, Nazareth College, North Central College, Ohio Northern University, Pacific Lutheran University, Roger Williams University, Samford University, St. Edward’s University, The University of Scranton, University of Evansville, University of New Haven, University of Redlands, Valparaiso University, Wagner College and Westminster College.

Princeton Review “Colleges That Pay You Back”

Wagner College was also included in a new guide to best-value colleges published by Princeton Review, “Colleges That Pay You Back: 50 Schools That Launch Careers by Going Beyond the Classroom.” The Princeton Review editors examined surveys and interviews with administrators, faculty, and alumni and weighed information about the colleges’ career center services, internship, externship, cooperative learning and collaborative research opportunities, and student engagement in community service and study abroad programs.

Several NAC&U members were in the top 20 in their respective states in PayScale’s 2015-2016 College Salary Report which ranked more than 1,000 colleges and universities by the median salaries of their alumni. Highlights include:

California Lutheran University, Hamline University, Hampton University, John Carroll University, Manhattan College, North Central College, Pacific Lutheran University, Samford University, St. Edward’s University, The University of Scranton, University of Evansville, University of Redlands, Valparaiso University, and Wagner College appeared in Money magazine’s second annual ‘Best Colleges for Your Money’ list, a ranking of the top 736 colleges and universities in America, big and small, public and private, Ivy and otherwise. Among the 736 schools that made Money magazine’s Best Colleges for Your Money list, rankings were assigned based on 21 factors in three categories: quality of education, affordability and outcomes.

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The New American Colleges and Universities is a national consortium of selective, small to mid-size independent colleges and universities dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic responsibility.